Whilst camping … and lying on the beach … volunteered to make the long walk back to camp and prepare lunch instead of my wife …. Also bought and delivered a bundle of firewood for our neighboring campers.

Another interesting discussion during Thursday’s conversation with Jason Franklin of Bolder Giving was that there are two different conversations with potential donors.

One with non-donors. Another with active donors.

I think that it is the same with giving your time. There is a difference between encouraging a non-volunteer and an active volunteer.

Encouraging a non-volunteer to start giving their time is difficult to initiate.

One might need to,

• Find a community problem that they can relate to
• Help them find an opportunity to help solve that problem
• Relate to their discomfort with other people
• Find out what their apprehensions to volunteering are.
• Overcome the waste of time mentality
• Help them understand that money isn’t a barrier to volunteering
• Encourage them that their time is well spent.

Encouraging an active volunteer to give more is a bit easier, but none-the-less challenging.

One might need to,

• Show how they can use their time more efficiently
• Discuss a previous bad experience
• Talk about how they can give more effectively

Two people. Two different conversations.